Brake signaling apparatus



Sept. 10, 1935. E. M. KRAMER BRAKE SIGNALING APPARATUS l V. LH,

w J E Sept. 10, 1935. E. M KRAMER 2,013,919

BRAKE SIGNALING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Filed June 17, 1955 INYENTDR f @Mfg Patented Sept. 10, 1935 ANT 'OFFICE 8' Claims.

This invention has reference to automotive brakes and signaling means therefor.

The invention has for its principal object the improvement in automotive brake structures and the provision therewith of a signaling apparatus associated with each brake including a signaling panel preferably located on or near the instriunent board of the vehicle, said panel being provided with a signal light for each brake, the panel lights 10 and brake signaling apparatus being suitably connected by electric wiring whereby upon actuation of the lbrake pedal by the operator of the vehicle, the signaling apparatus of each brake will be caused to function during the application of putting on the brakes to stop or slow down the Vehicle and light the respective signal lights in the panel as a warning signal to the operator of the functioning of the brake system of the vehicle,

The present day type of automotive vehicle contains usually not less than four brakes, one for each wheel and in some classes of vehicles of the large passenger and freight carrying type, there are included six and eight brakes when of the six and eight wheel type. In others there are more and less, as will be understood. In vehicles of the multiple brake type, it is a diiicult task to adjust the several brakes so that upon actuation of the brake pedal each brake 'will apply equal braking power and act simultaneously and in unison. Further, when such an adjustment is accomplished, it happens that after use, one or more of the brakes lose their adjustment, becoming loose or tight, as the case may be, and without such a condition becoming immediately known to the operator of the vehicle at the time, the unadjusted condition of the braking system will continue until noticed by reason of severe wear or damage to the vehicle tires `and the ineffectiveness of the braking system.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a switch in the signaling apparatus of each brake and so operatively associated therewith to give signals of varying operating conditions of l the brake, such signals of varying operating conditions being transmitted by the signal lights in the panel when caused to be operated by the switch, thereby informing the operator of the vehicle the operative condition of each brake in 50, the braking system.

A further object of the invention is the proision of such a switch in the signaling apparatus of each brake which will give a warning signal b-y lighting its respective signal light in the panel 55 when the brake is dragging, that is, when the operator of the vehicle is not actuating the brake pedal; further, to give a similar warning signal when a light or soft -braking power is applied by actuating the brake pedal and finally, to give a third warning signal when a heavy or full brake is 6 applied as that when used for a quick orsudden stop-ping of the vehicle.

Other and further objects will appear in the following description.

That the invention may be more fully under- 10 stood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this description and illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, partly broken 15 away, of a vehicle driving Wheel and brake embodying my invention, as the same would appear if taken on the line l--l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a face view of my improved brake as the same would appear if taken on the line 2-2 20 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail View of the spring elements 'of the signaling apparatus, as the same would appear if taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the operating 25 switch of the signaling apparatus as the same would appear if taken on the line ll-fi of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the adaptation of only the supporting elements of my improved brake to a steering wheel 30 of a vehicle, said elements and spokes of the wheel and axle thereof being broken away, and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the signaling panel and wiring for four signal lights for a vehicle having four brakes embodying my 35 invention.

Like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the figures.

Reference being had to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are companion ligures and illustrate the embodi- 40 ment of my invention to the rear wheel of a vehicle, in this case the driving wheel, whereas, Fig. 5 discloses in part the embodiment of my invention to the front wheel of a vehicle or what may be termed the steering wheel.

Referring to Fig. 1, I designates a rear axle housing in which is adapted to rotate the rear axle 2, a wheel 3 comprising the hub 4, spokes 5, rim 6 and tire 'l being suitably keyed to the axle at 8 and locked thereon by means of the usual nut 9. 60 The hub l is shown abutting against a roller bearing i0 which supports the axle 2, the keeper ring i l being interiorly threaded to an extension Ia of the housing l for maintaining the bearing I0 in place and alignment. The parts just described are old and well known in automotive construction.

I2 designates the brake drum which is rotatively carried by the wheel 3 and is provided with a flange portion I3 at its periphery, the drum being covered by a dirt and water shield I4 which is xedly secured at I5 to a ange of the axle housing I.

A brake shoe carrier I6` is rotatively mounted on the exterior surfaces of the extension IIL of the housing I at I1, the outer end of said extension being exteriorly threaded for the threaded securement of a'keeper ring IIa which is adapted to have a bearing engagement with said carrier.

Referring to Fig. 2, the carrier is provided with oppositely extending portions comprising an upper reach portion I6"l and a lower reach portion 16h, said portions being somewhat flared at their respective ends for coaction with the brake shoes.

Pivotally mounted at I8 to the upper flared ends of the upper reach portion I6a of the vcarrier are plates I9, their inner meeting facesV 2l] presenting an inverted V-shaped opening. Rollers 2| are provided in the upper outer portions of said plates and are adapted to have a bearing engagement with'a vertical wall 22 comprising the central web of :brake shoes 23. The upper ends-of the shoes 23 terminatev substantially at the rollers 2| Vof the plates I9, the lower ends thereof being f pivotally connected yto the lower ared ends of the lower reach portion It'0 as at 24. The connection 24 is an eccentric pin 25, see Fig. 1, the oppositeV endsof said pin being threaded to receive nuts 26 whereby when it is desired to adjust the brake shoes either tight or loose with respect to the walls of the brake drum I2 will only require theloosening yof thenuts 26 and turning the eccentric pin 25 the desired amount. A slotted opening 21 is provided in the wall of the shield I4 in order that an adjusting toolmay be fitted to the nut 26.

i `An arcuately shaped slotted opening 28, see dot- 40 ted'lines in Fig. 2,' is provided in the upper wall of theshield I4 through which is adapted to pass ashaft 29 which is pivotally mounted in vthe upper reach portion IE@ of the carrier preferably between the flared ends thereof, the outer end of said shaft 29 having securedthereto a lever arm Y 30, shown in dotted lines, which is disposed outside of. and preferably next adjacent to the shield. I4,

theV lower end Vthereofrbeing connected to a .I brake rod 3| which is adapted to be suitably co-n- 50 nected to the brakepedal'assembly. The inner end of nthe shaft 29 is connected by a link 32 to a spreader member 33 having oppositely disposed rollers 34 therein which engage with the inverted V-shaped faces 20 'of the plates I9'. It Will appear obvious that by pulling the brake rod`3|in the Y direction of the arrow as the resultof manipulating theY brake pedal of the vehicle, not shown, that Y the resultant movement of the lever arm 30 will cause the shaft 29 to`be pivotedthereby raising the link` 32 and spreader 33 which will exertV a spreading action upon the faces 20 ofthe plates ISby means of the rollers 34 and by means of thef rollers 2| of the plates I9 will exert an outward pressureuponv the upper endsof the brake lshoes andvcause` the shoes to have a frictional engagement with the inner walls of the brake drum |2..,.1A reverse ymovement ofthe brake rod 3| will release the brake shoes and leave the brake drum and attached wheel free for Vrotative move- 70 ment; Y,

Q; f A stop member 35 of bracket shape is secured to thelinside face' of the shield I4, the stop member portion thereof acting as anabutting face for a lsimilarly shaped stop member 36 'extending from the Vflared portion Ia of the carrier I6 whereby V portion thereof is an abutting member 31 from which face thereof a circular extension 38 protrudes having a welled portion therein. A stop member 39 of similar shape to the member 31 is secured to the inside face of. the shield i4, however, considerably lower than its companion member 35 and separated from its coacting member 31 by means of a light gauge helical spring 49, the ends of which are received in the Well portions 38 and V38 of the members 31 and'39, respectively. A comparatively heavy gauge helical spring 4| is adapted to encircle the small spring 4|] and its opposite .endsare adapted to be just short of having a bearing engagement with the faces which extend radially of the well portions of the respective members 31 and 39, see-Fig. 2, for reasons to be further discussed. Other helical springs 42 and 42' are providedon opposite sides of the upper portion I6Si of the carrier I6, one each having their opposite ends secured to the central web of the brake shoes 23,.as shown.

From the above description, it will be apparent that by reason of the springs 49, 4I, 42 and 42 that the carrier I6 willV normally have a bearing engagement with the stop member 35.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, a signaling switch to be described is closely associated with the dual acting springs 49 and 4|.

An electrical co-nductor rod or pin 43 is positioned through the wall of the shield I4 in a plate 44 suitably connected to said shield Wall, said pin being insulated from the plate and shield wall by a suitable non-conductor material 45, the outer end of said pin being threaded as at 49 and having nuts l41 for `the securement of a lead in wire, not shown in Fig.y 4, however, diagrammatically illustratedvin Fig. 2. The inner contact end of said pin is designated 48 and is adapted to coact with the projecting pin 49V which is carried by the upper reach Vportion I6a of the carrier I6. The

' pin 49 is provided with preferably three circuit completing vportions 50, 5I and 52. That is, in the movement of the carrier I 6 which compresses the springs and 4| to the extent of the portions 38 and 38 substantially abutting, the pin 49 will be moved in a similar path, the circuit portion 59 first momentarily'contacting the contact end of pin 4|!V thereby completing the circuit and causing a signal, andin the further travel of the pin 49`the circuit portion 5I comes into play, and in the further travel of the pin 49 the circuit portion 52 makes the iinalor third Contact and establishing its'signal 'in the electrical circuit.

Reference being had to Fig. 6 a signal panel 53 fis illustrated tofindicate the grouping and possia four Wheel brake system, thel lead wire 54, let us say, having connection to the conductor pin 43 for the left rear wheel brake signaling apparatus, 55 to the leftfront, 56 to the right front and 51 to the right rear. It shallappear obvious that a k signaling panel of any suitable size or arrangement may be provided and may contain more or less signal bulbs than shown, the instant disclosure being merely illustrative of a four Wheel brake signaling system.

Fig. 5 is illustrative of similar designated members corresponding to the invention described and shown in Figs. 1 to 4, both inclusive, as applied to a front axle 58 and steering spindle 59.V

In the operation of the brake signaling system and referring to Fig. 2, let it be assumed that the forward travel of the wheels 3 of the vehicle be in the direction of the arrows, as indicated.

Assuming the brake structure illustrated in Fig. 2 represents the left rear wheel of the vehicle and is electrically connected to the lead in wire 54, see Fig. 6, of the signaling panel 53.

Further assuming the brake shoes 23 to be out of adjustment and tending to have a frictional contact with the brake drum i2 without the actuation of the brake rod 3|, it will be understood that such abnormal braking action upon the revolving wheel will cause the brake shoes to have a traveling action with the wheel and by reason of the connection of the shoes with the loosely mounted carrier I6, said carrier will be pivoted on the extension member |a of the housing with said shoes, thereby compressing the small helical spring 49 and simultaneously causing the contact portion 59 of the pin 49 to make contact with the contact p-in 48 and thereby completing the circuit and lighting the signal bulb B connected with the lead in wire 54- giving notice to the operator of the vehicle that the brakes of the left rear wheel are dragging and o-ut of adjustment. The adjustment is accomplished as previously described.

Should the brake shoes be considerably out of adjustment, the rotative tendency of the shoes and carrier Vmay be intensified to the extent that the large helical spring will be caused to be compressed, thereby causing the movement of the contact pin 49 to be greater and establish a further contact with the portion 5| and if the gripping action of the brakes be suiiciently out of adjustment, it is possible that the movement of the shoes, carrier and pin 49 will cause the portion 52 thereof to make contact, thus giving three signals to the operator, indicating that the condition of that brake is equal to a fully power applied brake.

When actuating the brake rod 3| by means of the brake pedal and assuming the braking system is in full adjustment, and only a slight braking power is applied to the rod 3|, the initial dragging signal, by a contacting of the portion 59, will be rst transmitted to the signal light to be immediately followed by another flash of the same signal light by reason of the contacting of the portion 5| of the pin i9 with the contact pin 4S and, as will be understood, the signal light will remain lighted as long as such a slight braking pressure is applied and the portion 5| is in contact with the pin 48. With the braking system in full and perfect adjustment, it will be further understood that the above operation Will cause each of the signal bulbs B to flash in unison and remain lighted until the braking power is relieved, thereby giving instant knowledge to the operator of the vehicle of the proper working condition of the brake system.

In the event of applying a full and hard braking pressure upon the brake rod 3| to accomplish a sudden and quick stopping of the vehicle, it will be understood that the third and iinal signal of the signal bulbs in the signal panel will be given as the result of the portion 52 of the pin 49 contacting the contact pin 48.

When the braking pressure exerted by the actuation of the rod 3| is lifted, it will be understood that the springs 4| and 40 will return the carrier -5 and shoes to their normal inoperative position, as shown, the abutting face 36 abutting the member 35 and by means of the springs 42 and 42 the shoes will be normally kept out of engagement with the braking walls of the brake drum I2. The 10 signaling system is not capable of operation by a backing up or reverse travel of the wheels 3 of the vehicle, however, the brake system is fully operative in either direction.

What I claim is: 15

1. A signal for a brake mechanism comprising in combination, a wheel, a brake drum and a brake means arranged for coaction therewith, a movable element, operating means carried by said element adapted to actuate said brake means, 20 said element adapted for movement on the engagement of said brake means with said drum while the drum is turning, means for actuating said operating means, a signal panel provided with a signaling means, a contact member in 25 connection with said signaling means, a plurality of contacts carried by said movable element arranged for successive contact with said contact member upon movement of the movable element and an electrical circuit for energizing said sig- 30` naling means on the engagement of said aforementioned contacts with said contact member.

2. A signal for a brake mechanism comprising in combination, a wheel, a brake drum and a brake means arranged for coaction therewith, 35 a movable element, operating means carried by said element adapted to actuate said brake means, said element adapted for movement on the engagement of said brake means with Said drum while the drum is turning, means for actuating 40 said operating means, a signal panel provided with a signalLng means, a contact member in oonnection with said signaling means, a plurality of contacts carried by said movable element arranged for successive contact with said contact member 45 upon movement of the movable element, an electrical circuit for energizing said signaling means on the engagement of said aforementioned contacts with said contact member, a stop for limiting the movement of said movable element, and 50 resilient means between said movable element and said stop, said resilient means coacting with the successive operation of said plurality of contacts whereby the signal means is successively actuated to denote brake operating conditions. 55 3. A signal for a brake mechanism comprising in combination, a wheel, a brake drum connected to rotate with said wheel, a support, a brake shoe carrier movable on said support, a plurality of brake shoes arranged for coaction with said drum, 60 said carrler adapted to be moved on the engagement of said brake shoes with said drum while the wheel is turning, one end of each shoe having an adjustable connection with said carrier, operating means between said carrier and said shoes for posltively moving the shoes into coaction with said drum, means for imparting movement to said operating means, a signal panel provided with a signaling means, a contact member 70 in connection with said signaling means, a plurality of contacts connected with said carrier arranged for successive contact with said contact member and an electrical circuit for energizing said signaling means on the engagement of said 7 5 aforementioned contacts with said contact member. y

- 4. A signal for a brake mechanism comprising i in combination, a wheel, a brake drum connected to rotate with said wheel, a support, a brake shoe carrier movable onfsaid support, a plurality of brake shoes arranged for coaction with said drum, said carrier adapted to be moved on-the'engagement` of said brake shoes with said drum while the drum is turning, one end of each shoe having an adjustable connection with said carrier, operating means between said carrier yand said shoes for positivelyimoving the shoes 'into coaction with said drum, means for imparting movement to said operating means, a signal panelprovidedwith a signaling means, a contact member in connection with said signaling means, a plurality of `contacts connected with said carrier arranged for successive contact with said Vcontact member upon movement of the carrier, an electrical circuit for energizing said signaling means on the engagement of said aforementioned contacts with said contact member, a stop forlimiting the movement of said carrier, and resilient means between said carrier and said stop, said resilient means coacting with the successive operation Yof said plurality of contacts whereby the sig- V, nal means is successively actuated to denote brake said Velement adapted to actuate said ,brake means, rsaid element adapted for movement on the engagement of said brake means with ysaid drum `while thedrum is turning, means for actuatingv said operating means, a signal panel provided with av signaling means, a signaling member in connection with said signaling means, a plurality of signalingV members associated with said movable element adapted for successive coaction with said 4signaling member upon movement of themovable Lelement, and means for actuating said-signaling meansk on coaction,k of said aforementioned sigvn-aling members withrsaidpanel signaling member.

. 6. A signal means for a brake mechanism comprisingin combination, a wheel, a brake drum andV Vbrake means adapted for coaction therewith, av

movablel element, operating rmeans associated with said element adapted to actuate said brake means, said element adapted for movement on the engagement of said brake-means with said drum while thedrum is turning, means for ac- H5 tuating Vsaid operating means, a signal panel pro- *vided'with a ybrake `signaling means, signaling vconnection with said signaling means, a contact 20 member associated with said brake means adapted to be moved into engagementk with said first mentioned contactv membenan electrical circuit embodying said contacts and said signaling means,

means actuated by said brake means when the 25H Y latter are in kengagement with the drum whenv rotating for moving said last mentioned contact member into engagement with said first mentioned contact member whereby said 'signaling means is actuated tordenote ybrake operating 30 conditions. l 4 I 8V'. A signal means for a brake mechanism comprising in combination, a wheel, a brake drum and brake means arranged for coaction therewith, a signaling means, a stationary contact member in yconnection with said signaling means, a plurality oiV movable contactV members associated with said brake` means adapted to be moved into successive engagement with said stationary contact member, an electrical circuit embodying-said ycontact members and said signaling means, meansactuated by said brake means when thev latter are in engagement. with the drum when rotating for movingjsaid movable contacts 45 into successive Vengagement with said stationary contact member whereby said signaling means is successivelyactuated to denote brake operating conditions.

EMIL. M. KRAMER. 5@ 

